O Haseena Zulfon Wali - The song that made Pancham Unbeatable

 Who can forget the 20-feet-tall Rocky sculpture and the massive "human eye" visual in the "O Haseena Zulfon Wali" song with Helen and Shammi Kapoor? This super hit song from Teesri Manzil has a story behind it.
The creator of this song was R D Burman. Four films ahead of him, none of these a hit, looking for a big break was not the first choice of the producer Nasir Hussain and hero Shammi Kapoor. Both of them were keen on Shankar Jailishan or  O P Nayyar. It was only the director  Vijay Anand and lyricist Mazrooh Sultanpuri who persuaded both the producer and the hero to listen to his tunes then decide.

Pankaj in an interview once said that he had already prepared six tunes for this film and was sure that these will be approved by them. In the first sitting he started with the first  two lines of a Nepali tune, which was later remade as ‘Deewana mujhsa nahin’, when Shammi interrupted him, completed the rest of the lines ‘Deotara mattali oina’, Shammi Kapoor told him he knew the full Nepali song and heard it before, he liked the tune since then.
After this Pancham played the tunes he had reserved for this occasion. The first tune he presented was O Haseena Zulfon wali, listening to this Shammi Kapoor jumped from his seat. The next tune Pancham played was of the song Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar Tera. Shammi Kapoor stopped him abruptly and said, ‘I don’t want to hear any more songs.’ He rose and made for the exit. ‘You’ve passed. You are my music director,’ 
This is a duet of Asha Bhosle and Mohammad Rafi in which Pancham used a big orchestra of more than 80 musicians of whom close to forty were violinists. Pancham laid out a variety of instruments ranging from the drums and the violins for the main course of dominant sounds, the triangle and the trumpet for the side dishes of supporting sounds, and the acoustic guitar and sax in the Bossa nova-style interludes. 
. Filmed in multiple crane shots with fleeting close-ups and cuts introduced only when switching between characters, Manohari Singh the right-hand man of RDB said that this song was recorded well before Shammi Kapoor reaching the studio.  In the song, the Saxophone was played by Manohari Singh and in the film, Shammi Kapoor plays Saxophone. When Shammi Kapoor heard the recorded version of this song, he said it would set the standard for the portrayal of lively music and dance in Indian cinema.

Dev Anand starrer Mahal completes 50 years

This Dev Anand film was released in 1969 on the first day of that year. It is a fast-paced thriller with very good music. Almost all the songs were very popular 50 years ago and still liked by Dev's fans.
The music by Kalyanji Anandji had some brilliant and soulful compositions like – “Ankhon Ankhon Mein Hum Tum”, “Yeh Duniyawala Poochenge” and  “ Aiyee, Aap Ka Tha Hamein Intezaar”(This was one of the earliest films of Farida Jalal and she has performed a sexy dance number along with Dev Anand. )

Dev Anand who plays a simple and poor driver cum assistant to a rich boss (Abhi Bhattacharya) in Kolkata. He needed money for his sister's wedding, when out of the blue a stranger offers him money in return for playing an imposter of a brother in law for a dying old man in Darjeeling who owns a palace and of course millions worth of property.

He falls in love with a rich girl (Asha Parekh) In the middle of the film he falls into a vicious trap where he is caught red-handed in front of a dead man, who is actually the owner of the palace but not the one Dev had been meeting there till now. Farida Jalal as the seductive nurse complicates the matters.

 Dev Anand now on the run from the law to prove his innocence. The identity of the real villain remains a mystery and the climax comes as a surprise.
The first half of this film is solid entertainment, pretty songs, beautiful Darjeeling, and plenty of sparks between Dev Anand and Asha Parekh.  Mahal is a lot of fun and I’d recommend to watch it again.
Songs of Mahal

Song of Mahal 1969

Song of Mahal 1969

Song of Mahal 1969

Song of Mahal 1969

Song of Mahal 1969

Song of Mahal 1969

Story Behind the Song "Yeh Aankhen Uff You Maa"

This Iconic song is sung by Rafi and Lata and it is picturised on the lead pair of Dev Saab and Asha Parekh. The film was directed by Nasir Hussain and the song was written by Hasrat Jaipuri and composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The film was a super hit, all the songs were hit.
When this song released everybody was curious to know the meaning of Uff Youmaa.These words became craze after the release of the film.
The story behind these words was that once Music Director Jaikishan along with lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri were attending a party in Bombay where an Arabic lady who was very beautiful said Uff Yumma and Jaikishan immediately took a liking for this very unusual word and there and then asked Hasrat Jaipuri to sit down and write a romantic song using this word for their upcoming film Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai.
The Mukhra of this song was ready in a few minutes. Jaikishan immediately left the party and went to Nasir Hussain's house Initially Nasir Hussain was reluctant to take these words but when the full song was ready he invited Dev Saab to listen to the song. Dev Anand instantly liked these words and approved this song.
This romantic song was picturised on the beautiful hills of Darjeeling. The situation was created for this song by the director for using these words. 

Song of Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai 1961

Please Click the Link Below to know more about Hasrat Jaipuri

https://youtu.be/58O0VJZZ0UU 

50 Years of the film DUNIYA

Dev Anand and Vyjayantimala have acted together in 3 films. This was the last film they worked together. Before this they were seen in Jewel Thief released a year ago in 1967.  The 149-minute romantic thriller was amongst the year's big hits grossing Rs.18 crores 
The music of the film was hit, the songs: Dooriyan Nazdikiyan Ban Gayi (Kishore-Asha), Falsafa Pyar Ka Tum Kya Jano, Jaawan Tum Ho Jawan Hum Hain (Rafi) by Hasrat Jaipuri; are still in our heart. The film was released on 28th Dec 1968.

The film starred Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala in the lead with Balraj Sahni, Johnny Walker, Lalita Pawar, Prem Chopra, Sulochana Latkar, Madan Puri, Nana Palsikar, Achala Sachdev, Laxmi Chhaya,  written by K. A. Narayan and directed by T. Prakash Rao.
The film's soundtrack was composed by the Shankar Jaikishan duo, while the lyrics were provided by Hasrat Jaipuri, S. H. Bihari and Gopaldas Neeraj.

The film is about three friend Amarnath(Dev Anand), Gopal(Suresh) and his sister, Mala(Vyjayatimala). As Mala and Gopal's mom is a widow and is unable to care for both the children, she decides to let her Bombay-based cousin, Shobha R. Sharma, adopt Mala. Gopal is always in trouble with the villagers for petty theft, and when he learns that Mala has left, he too runs away from home. Years later, all three have grown up. Mala's mom is deceased, while she continues to live with her aunt and uncle, Public Prosecutor Ramnath Sharma( Balral Sahini); Amarnath is now an Advocate working with Senior Advocate Mehta, and is in love with Mala, not knowing that she is his childhood friend; while Gopal has been to prison in Poona, Madras, and the Police in Hyderabad want him for questioning. Soon Amarnath will be defending Gopal, alias Ram Singh, for the murder of one Mohanchand - and it will be an uphill task for Amarnath - for not only do the Police have airtight evidence against Gopal, Mohanchand was to be the future son-in-law of Ramnath - who has sworn to bring Gopal to justice by hook or by crook.

Performance-wise, Dev Anand displays flashes of histrionics, Vyjayantimala is her usual competent self, excelling in the customary dance sequence in her films Balraj Sahni is brilliant, Johnny Walker provides relief in his inimitable style.

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Asha Parekh-The Hit Girl

Asha Parekh-The Hit Girl is the Title of Asha Parekh's autobiography released in 2017 in which she revealed many aspects of her life. Today on her birthday we look forward to her journey in Bollywood. In this book, she  is candid about herself and her life right from her love for Nasir [Husain] sahab, the emptiness of her existence following the death of her parents, her depression that nearly drove her to end her own life 
Nasir Hussain was the only man she ever loved. Asha Parekh reveals that she never got married as she never wanted to take Hussain away from his family.“I was never a home breaker. There was never any ill will between me and Nasir Saab’s family. 
Asha, who began her career as a child artiste, was seen in Madhubala’s film Jwala. Later, director Bimal Roy impressed by 10- year-old Asha’s dance on stage cast her in Maa (1952) and then in Baap Beti (1954). At 16, Asha was rejected by Vijay Bhatt for his film Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959) as he believed she was ‘not star material’in her place Ameeta was chosen. In an uncanny twist, eight days later, producer Subodh Mukherjee and director Nasir Hussain cast her in Dil Deke Dekho (1959) opposite Shammi Kapoor and her fortunes changed overnight. She went on to forge a fruitful association with Nasir Hussain in six films including Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) and Caravan (1971).

The ‘hit girl’ says that she was never hit upon by her heroes. “I’d sit in a corner and be immersed in my book. My mother always accompanied me,” she says. Asha shared a close bond with both, the late Geeta Bali and Shammi Kapoor and addressed them as ‘Chachi’ and ‘Chacha’ respectively. “I called Shammiji ‘Chacha’. There was no way I could have any romantic leanings for him,” 
After Dil Deke Dekho her next release was Hum Hindustani opposite, Sunil Dutt, The film did "above average" business at the box office. The next film was Ghunghat in 1960, The film became a hit at the box office. Musically also, it was liked by the audience. "Lage Na Mora Jiya" and "Mori Chham Chham Baje Payaliya" sung by Lata Mangeshkar were hit songs from the film.

Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai in 1961 was her next film that became another box office hit. It was written, produced, and directed by Nasir Hussain. The first film Hussain ever produced, it featured Dev Anand. By this time she became a leading heroine of Bollywood. She was giving one hit after another. some of these films were Gharana (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Bharosa (1963) , Ziddi (1964), Mere Sanam (1965), Teesri Manzil (1966), Love in Tokyo (1966), Do Badan (1966) , Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), Upkar (1967) , Shikar (1968), Kanyadaan (1968), Mahal (1969), Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Kati Patang (1971), Caravan (1971)  and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)

After her days as a leading lady ended, Parekh took on supporting roles as bhabhi (sister-in-law) and mother, but she called this the "awkward phase" of her career. So she stopped acting in films, She  stopped acting in 1995 to pursue directing and producing television serials. She formed a production company, Akruti, and produced serials like Palash ke Phool, Baaje Payal, Kora Kagaz and a comedy, Dal Mein Kaala.
 She was the president of the Cine Artistes' Association from 1994 to 2000. Parekh was the first female chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) of India. She held the post from 1998 to 2001 for which she received no salary,

Song of Dil Deke Dekho 1959

Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961

Song of  Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963)

Song of  Ziddi (1964), 

Song of  Teesri Manzil (1966)

Song of Love in Tokyo (1966)

Song of Do Badan (1966)

Song of Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966)

Song of Shikar (1968)

Song of  Mahal (1969)

Song of   Aan Milo Sajna (1970)

Song of  Kati Patang (1971)

Song of  Caravan (1971) 

Song of Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)

Happy Birthday Asha Parekh

Asha Parekh was born into a middle-class Gujarati Jain family on 2 October 1942 in Mumbai,she started her career as a child artist under the screen name Baby Asha Parekh in the film Aasmaan (1952). Famed film director Bimal Roy saw her dance at a stage function and cast her at the age of twelve in Baap Beti (1954). The film's failure disappointed her and even though she did a couple more child roles, she quit to resume her schooling.

She made her debut as a heroine from  Dil Deke Dekho (1959) opposite Shammi Kapoor, which made her a big star.The film was produced by Subodh Mukharji and directed by Nasir Hussain,who later casted her as the heroine in six more of his films: Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), and Caravan (1971). She also did a cameo in his film Manzil Manzil (1984). 

Her films were essentially cheerful, lighthearted entertainers. Today, they may not count as classics, but are redolent of a more gentler and amiable age of entertainers., She made an impact in Ziddi (1964). Asha played a characteristic no-nonsense tomboy who cavorts around with a cute baby elephant for company. She surprised many in her emotional scenes, which captured her painful passage to adulthood.

The true efflorescence of Asha's talent came in the year 1966, which saw her star in four successful films: Vijay Anand's masterly suspenseful musical Teesri Manzil reteamed her with Shammi Kapoor, Love In Tokyo gave her a chance to dance and emote in picturesque Japan, Aaye Din Bahaar Ke started a successful teaming with Dharmendra (five successes, no flops), and Raj Khosla's rather maudlin Do Badan offered her the opportunity to play tragedy.

She did deglamourised roles in Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), or Chiraag (1969).She finally got the much coveted Best Actress Award in Kati Patang (1970). As the widow whose watery smile hides a painful secret, Kati Patang was followed by hits like Aan Milo Sajna, Nasir Hussain's Caravan and Raj Khosla's Mera Gaon Mera Desh in the early seventies.

 Later she concentrated on her dancing  and went on a an extended trip abroad for her dance shows.Asha's obsession with dance continued and her performance of famous dance ballets like Chauladevi won attention.

She did the ocassional film like Raj Khosla's Main Tulsi Tere Angan Ki (1978), or J P Dutta's Hathyar (1989), which made demands on her creativity. But when she found film roles degenerating into the maa-bhabhi glut, she firmly retired from films in the early 1990s.

 Her biggest challenge however came with her appointment as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification,She held this post from 1998 to 2001, where she was forced to take a stand on innumerable controversial issues, but as usual, Parekh emerged with flying colours.She was given PadmaShri by Govt. of India in 1992

 Today, she concentrates on her dance academy Kara Bhavan and the Asha Parekh Hospital in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, named in her honour because of her many humanitarian contributions.We wish her long life and remember her with her Super Hit songs

Song from Dil Deke Dekho 1959

Song from Ghunghat 1960

Song from Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai 1961

Song from Chhaya 1961

Song from Bharosa 1963

Song from Teesri Manzil  1966

Song from Love in Tokyo 1966

Song from Upkar 1967

Song from Shikar 1968

Song from Mahal 1969

Song from Kati Patang 1970

Song from Caravan 1971

Song from Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki 1978